NAVIGATING CHANGE IN APPRENTICESHIPS AND SKILLS
Exciting new opportunities are afoot in apprenticeships and skills, but for many employers it’s also hard keeping pace with what is happening, when it will take effect and how it will work in practice.
Government recently unveiled reforms reshaping how apprenticeships support economic growth and workforce development centred around a broader Growth and Skills Levy with more flexibility over how apprenticeship levy funds are used.
An expansion of youth apprenticeships – up to 50,000 additional places over three years – is also in the pipeline to tackle youth unemployment and support young people into sustained work: including increased support to recruit younger apprentices, particularly for SMEs.
There will also be new entry-level and shorter, more flexible apprenticeship models in priority sectors like construction, engineering, digital and hospitality, alongside
Skills England now taking responsibility for apprenticeships and technical education.
Together these announcements signal a welcome intent to make apprenticeships more accessible, flexible and aligned to employer need but much remains to be clarified as we move into 2026.
We know that employers will need more detail on how new flexibilities will operate, eligibility criteria for funding, how shorter or modular apprenticeships will be quality- assured, and timescales. We also recognise many sectors are facing widening skills gaps, an ageing workforce and increasing pressure adapting to rapid technological change.
At B&FC, our commitment is to work in close partnership to help employers understand these challenges and collaborate on tailored curricula and modular training to meet their current and future workforce needs.
We aim to equip organisations with the tools and knowledge to remain competitive
For more information, please visit
blackpool.ac.uk/bfc-for-business
and resilient, while also supporting them to maximise available funding.
National reform details will, of course, emerge in the coming months and our mission is assisting businesses to navigate this evolving landscape and take informed decisions.
With that in mind, we’re looking forward to National Apprenticeships Week 2026, which runs February 9 to 15, as part of which we are hosting an Apprenticeship Jobs Fair at Bispham on Thursday, February 5, offering employers the opportunity to connect with potential apprentices and discuss workforce needs.
By Sarah Hall, Director for business, Blackpool and The Fylde College
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STRONGER TOGETHER FOR A WORKFORCE THAT’S FUTURE-READY
Technological advances are changing the face of our economy. From AI to innovation in clean energy and manufacturing, Lancashire is at the forefront of opportunity.
But there are measures we need to ensure everyone is on a level footing. Organisations must be given the same opportunities to grow if we are to have a thriving community.
It’s no secret that collaboration is key to enabling business growth. The Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology, a collaboration of eight colleges and three universities, has championed partnerships since its inception. We’re stronger when we work together, education listening to business needs, working together to create courses that give people the skills they need to make an impact.
The government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published in 2025, attests to the value of collaboration if the UK is to build on its potential. Its eight high-growth sectors somewhat mirror our own six key
sectors of clean energy and sustainability, construction, digital and cyber, engineering and manufacturing, health and science and processional services.
But more needs to be done to help businesses capitalise on the potential. The report states that the gains from AI innovation could add up to £47bn a year for the UK in productivity over the next decade, but says only 18 per cent of businesses have adopted AI.
While we may refute that in our region, the national figure is a wake-up call. The strategy confirms a commitment to encourage engagement and investment from employers to build talent pipelines, an approach we know works.
In areas like construction, two of our academic partners are involved in more collaboration.
Blackpool and the Fylde College and East
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Lancashire Learning Group are part of the North West Construction Technical Excellence College, which focuses on boosting modern and green construction skills.
The recent Budget gave small businesses a greater incentive to hire and train young people, with apprenticeships for under-25s now fully funded, which was welcome news.
The message from education is clear, we remain committed to working together in whichever way we can to ensure that talent pipeline our businesses need.
By Linda Dean, Managing director of the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology
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